Replacing a Tail Light
- Step 1: Open the tailgate or trunk.
- Step 2: Remove the tail lamp assembly (if needed)
- Step 3: Remove the bulb.
- Step 4: Insert a replacement bulb after adding bulb grease.
- Step 5: Reattach the component (if needed)
- Repeat step 6 on the opposite side.
In This Article...
How much does a new tail light assembly cost?
Cost of replacing a tail light If you want to have a professional replace your tail light component, budget between $200 and $500. If you own a high-end luxury or performance vehicle, the cost of the job may increase.
Can I change my own tail light?
Fortunately, changing the tail light bulbs isn’t hard and shouldn’t take you more than 45 minutes to an hour. Be careful that newer models could be a little trickier to disassemble than older ones because there will be more wires.
How is a tail light assembly taken out?
Safety Advice
Always use safety eyewear when performing maintenance on your car. When necessary, put on additional personal protective equipment (PPE), such as latex gloves or closed-toe shoes.
On the back of your car, find the tail light assembly. When you use your brakes or turn signal, they illuminate on each corner.
Remove any mounting screws that are present on the exterior of the tail light assembly, if necessary.
Can the plastic on a tail light be replaced separately?
Hello, and thank you for your letter. The “lenses” or plastic coverings for the taillights are not offered for sale individually. If you wish to do that repair, you will have to buy the full taillight assembly. Now, keep in mind that you might be able to locate one used for a lot less money. In light of this, you should make sure any used parts are either inspected or are of “known good” quality. Junk yards, pull-and-pay shops (where you find and take the part on your own), and even online are common venues to find used units. If you need assistance in replacing the taillight, contact our service department to make an appointment at your home or office.
Tail Light Assembly
The group of lights positioned on the back of your car is known as the tail light assembly. They are made up of the reverse lights, brake lights, and tail lights. Each set of lights has a specific function for nighttime conspicuity. The red tail lights are connected to switch on in conjunction with the activation of the front position lighting. When the driver applies the brakes, the brake lights turn on. On both sides of the car, these lights, which are a vivid red, are mounted in multiples of two.
In some vehicles, the brake lights and the tail lights can be merged. They can be placed as a dual-intensity bulb in these circumstances, with the brake-light having a brighter intensity. Fog lights are also used in cars to improve rear sight in heavily foggy conditions. When the driver shifts into reverse to back up the automobile, the reversing lamps turn on. For both your safety and the protection of other drivers, you must make sure the tail lights are in functioning order.
You should replace the tail light assembly if your tail lights have sustained external damage or if the lenses are dim. For every make and model of vehicle, Buy Auto Parts keeps a large selection of tail light assemblies in stock.
We offer excellent aftermarket components as well as original OEM replacements. All of our auto components are rigorously examined and backed by a warranty. Choose the correct year, make, and model of your car from our online catalog to view the components that fit it. You can purchase premium tail light assemblies at Buy Auto Parts for unbeatable pricing, plus free shipping. Contact us by email at [email protected] or over the phone at 1-888-907-7225 if you have any inquiries about our auto parts.
When my taillight breaks, can I still drive?
Don’t be shocked if you are pulled over if your taillight is damaged. A broken taillight is one of the safety offenses that police are constantly looking out for. It makes it more difficult for people to see you, and if the second one burns out as well, it will be quite difficult for approaching drivers to see you at night from the back. However, you won’t necessarily receive a penalty just because you’re stopped for a faulty taillight. Although it is technically against the law to drive with a broken taillight, most police officers would likely only issue you a warning and instruct you to have it replaced as soon as possible. However, some police officers do issue citations for damaged taillights.
Are the brake light and the tail light interchangeable?
Many automobiles have a single globe that houses both the braking and tail lights. In other words, both lights have the same external covering. Your car’s may be a little different, with individual globes. In contrast to brake lights, which turn on instantly when you hit the brakes, tail lights are activated by turning on your headlights or applying the parking brake. The brake lights are a brighter red than the tail lights, which are typically red on cars. White back-up lights are also included in your rear lights.
AutoZone will they replace brake lights?
Problems with the brake light switch or turn signals A replacement switch can be placed after you check the connection to the switch for corrosion or other problems and buy it at your neighborhood AutoZone.
Can AutoZone repair damaged tail lights?
Shop online or visit your neighborhood AutoZone for nearby tail light lens repair. Having a practical fix for cracked, chipped, or damaged tail lights is crucial for both emergency situations and regular car maintenance in your garage.
Why does my brake light function, but not my taillight?
The most frequent cause of brake lights working but tail lights not is an improperly placed or damaged light bulb. A blown fuse, poor wiring, or corroded sockets or plugs are other potential causes. Another potential culprit is a broken control light switch.
These are the most frequent causes, though there are other ones as well. Here is a more thorough list of the most frequent reasons why brake lights will illuminate but not the taillights.
Should you swap out both tail lights at once?
According to logic, individual vehicle lights will eventually burn out and need to be changed the more you use them. Head lamp capsules need to wear out more quickly when driving at night or during the day. Right?
The manufacturer rates the lifespan of the lamps and bulbs in your car in terms of illumination hours.
Naturally, long-lasting, high-quality bulbs will endure longer than lights of lower quality.
Only when your car’s headlamp capsules and micro lamps burn out and stop working properly should you replace them.
As soon as your head lamp capsules burn out, you should replace them with a high-quality, durable capsule lamp, such those made by Champion lighting components. Considering that they are both the same age and level of deterioration, it is also advisable to replace the headlamp capsules, brake light, and taillight bulbs in pairs at the same time. Most likely, the opposite lamp capsule has significantly deteriorated and will also burn out shortly.
Find out more about high-quality lighting items, where to buy your car part, or how to locate it.
This article’s information is provided for educational reasons only and shouldn’t be relied upon in place of consulting a qualified technician or mechanic. We advise you to speak with a licensed technician or mechanic if you have any specific queries or issues regarding any of the subjects discussed here.
Use of the same bulb for both taillights and brake lights?
The brake lights and tail lights on many cars use the same bulb. Inside the bulb, there are two filaments: one for the brake light and one for the taillight. Additionally, some automobiles feature a unique bulb for each circuit.
What kind of plastic is used to create taillights?
Typically, a combination of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene is used to make the tail light assembly. This mixture produces a molded product with exceptional clarity, light transmission, and impact and temperature resistance.